12/01/2014

Artisan Spotlight: Mitzi's Collectibles

Motivated by the enduring charm of "old things" and a passion for discovering aged treasures, Mitzi Curi spreads her love for vintage through her Etsy store, Mitzi's Collectibles, and her fascinating blog, Mitzi's Miscellany. Her Etsy store is a mix of both hand-selected vintage keepsakes and handmade upcycled pieces. Mitzi has many years of experience in collecting antiques and a special knack for creating. Her blog not only offers informative tidbits on an array of past treasures, but it also showcases a variety of upcycling and repurposing craft tutorials. Please visit both her Etsy store and her blog, but before you do, check out what Mitzi had to say to us about her shop (and take a peak at some of the fun things she has to offer as well):

I started my Etsy shop, Mitzi's Collectibles, in 2008 to sell "Vintage and Handmade Treasures." At the time, I was an experienced Ebay seller but didn't care for the uncertainty of the auction format, especially for selling handmade items. I was excited to open my Etsy shop to sell antiques that I find here in mid-Michigan along with jewelry creations and other items that I make with vintage components. I also enjoy supplying other crafters with vintage materials so that they can create their own unique items to keep or sell.

I've been obsessed with vintage wallpaper for a long time. I love the wonderful graphics and combination of colors used years ago. Vintage wallpaper gives an instant nostalgic look to any project that you can't get from anything else. I'm constantly thinking of new ways to use my vintage wallpaper collection!

Right now, I've been on a jewelry making binge. I enjoy making my vintage wallpaper cuff bracelets, and I have picked up several accounts from gift shops and home jewelry shows who have seen my Etsy offerings and contacted me for wholesale orders.

Most popular are my necklaces and bracelets made from vintage clip-on earrings. Since women don't wear clip-on earrings anymore, I feel that it's a good way to repurpose these old costume jewelry pieces and wear them again in a different way.

Also popular recently have been vintage fabric "yoyos" made during the depression era and later. I sell them in bags of 100. They can be used as faric appliques on pillows, tote bogs, and clothing; made into flowers; and used in mixed media art and jewelry projects.

All in all, I feel good about selling old things, and I want customers to feel good about buying old things. That's why I like Etsy: there's an encouraging sense of community between all those who love vintage items.

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Artisan Spotlight: Mitzi's Collectibles

Motivated by the enduring charm of "old things" and a passion for discovering aged treasures, Mitzi Curi spreads her love for vintage through her Etsy store, Mitzi's Collectibles, and her fascinating blog, Mitzi's Miscellany. Her Etsy store is a mix of both hand-selected vintage keepsakes and handmade upcycled pieces. Mitzi has many years of experience in collecting antiques and a special knack for creating. Her blog not only offers informative tidbits on an array of past treasures, but it also showcases a variety of upcycling and repurposing craft tutorials. Please visit both her Etsy store and her blog, but before you do, check out what Mitzi had to say to us about her shop (and take a peak at some of the fun things she has to offer as well):